Persepolis:

Persepolis was the capitol of the Persian Empire, located in Iran. Despite how it was shown as being an arrogant and strong empire, it was actually a place of diversity. This is shown by in a famous carving, there are 23 different nations represented equally, because all were accepted, and all gathered there. They represented one of the first truly unified worlds, where there was a desire to belong and tolerance for everyone. The original creator of the Persian Empire was Cyrus, the man who believed in a Universal Empire. There was religious freedom in Persepolis, there were no temples inside the city, only miles away and even then it was not specific to any one religion. The acceptance of the visitors to the Empire was shown by how many written things to the public were translated into multiple languages, showing how they do not require them to speak their language. The government of Persia eventually created one common language, and it was not one that the government workers already knew, it required effort on their part as well. This city was the epitome of tolerance during this time period.

Persepolis October 1971

• 2,500th anniversary of the monarchy founded by Cyrus the Great

1921 Persian Coup d'etat (overthrow of the Qajar dynasty)

• The military coup that eventually let to the Pahlavi Dynasty
• The ruler was seen as weak and incompetent
• British werent happy, so they promoted giving power to Reza Khan

1953 Iranian coup d'etat (overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh)

• Mohammad Mosaddegh was kicked out and instead the rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was strengthened
• Promoted Monarchy

The Shah

• The Shah is the Iranian term for the former monarch of Iran

• Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was the Shah that was forced to flee Iran during the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

**Ruhollah Khomeini**

• A religious scholar who eventually declared Iran a republic and took control as Supreme leader for life.

Black Friday (September 8, 1978)

• The government declared martial law, however, thousands of people went to demonstrate
• Soldiers ordered crowd to disperse, they didnt
• Soldiers began shooting
• Many people died

Youth in Iran (Pre 1979)

• young girls were not provided an education for the majority of the time

Youth in Iran (Today)

• 60% of Irans population are under the age of 30
• Largest politically active group of youth in the Islamic world
• youth account for 62% of those unemployed in Iran
• They have approved clothing and hairstyles

Women in Iran (Pre 1979)

• Did not have to wear the veil, under the laws of Reza Shah
• Many women rejoiced over the new laws
• However, some were of opposite mindsets, as the veil was seen more as a way to protect themselves
• some Reveiled themselves

Women in Iran (Today)

• Still not exactly equal
• Still wear the hijab in public
  • Considered to be a lesser issue compared to some others

Martyrs

• Black Friday Massacre was an act of martyrdom
• Dying for the country is considered a great honor to those in Iran

Theocracy

• Religiously based government

Islamic Fundamentalism

• Want to return to the fundamental teachings of Islam
• The Qu'ran is the literal word of God.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

• Elected president in 2005
• Later reelected in 2009, but there were some protests because it was believed to be corrupt
• Controversial opinions on human rights
• Eventually alienated from both Islamic and Western worlds